My baby has a bruise or unusual skin mark

A bruise on a baby who cannot yet crawl or walk is very unusual and can be a serious cause for concern.

• It might not be a bruise at all, it may be an unusual birthmark, not all birthmarks are present at birth but can appear days or weeks later.
• The bruise or unusual skin mark may be a sign of a medical condition such as a blood disorder which requires further medical investigation.
• The bruise or unusual skin mark may be a sign that your baby has been injured, this may well have been accidental.

We know this is worrying for you but in order to pick up the very occasional serious cause for a baby having a bruise or unusual skin mark, all staff working in Brighton & Hove follow the Brighton & Hove bruise or unusual skin mark guidelines which specify the actions they should take.

We aim to ensure that your child receives the best care at all times.

• The professional who discussed your baby’s bruise or unusual skin mark with you has a duty to contact Children’s Social Care (CSC) to arrange for your baby to be seen by a paediatrician (a doctor specialising in children).
• You will be contacted and given an appointment, usually within 24hrs of the referral, this is most often at your local hospital. This is done quickly because if any further treatment or investigations are required it is important this happens as soon as possible for your baby.
• At the appointment the paediatrician will ask you about your baby, examine your baby fully, and then decide if any further medical investigations are required. Any information you can give about your baby is extremely important in finding out the reason for your baby’s bruise or unusual mark.
• The paediatrician will inform Children’s Social Care of the outcome of your baby’s examination. You will be told of any decisions taken and if there are any further actions required these will be discussed with you.

Yes, a record will be kept of the fact that your baby was assessed and examined alongside the findings of that examination.

You can request to see your records at any time by asking your Social Worker or writing to the Data Protection Officer, Brighton & Hove City Council, ICT Room, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 4AH.

Our aim is to support you and keep you fully informed at all times of what is happening and why. Please feel free to ask questions at any time.

Children’s Social Care: 01273 295920.

Sussex procedures can be found at ProceduresOnline.

This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.

The information here is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.